Outvoted!  Of course whey would be outvoted.  Of course they would be so paralysed by fear at finding themselves in the presence of real gentlemen, that they would hardly be able to vote at all.  Old Lady Lufton did not in fact utter words so harsh as these; but thoughts as harsh passed through her mind.  The reader therefore will understand that much interest was felt in the subject at Framley Court, where Lady Lufton lived with her son and daughter-in-law.

‘They tell me,’ said Lady Lufton, ’that both the archdeacon and Dr Tempest think it is right that a commission should be held.  If so, I have no doubt that it is right.’

‘Mark says that the bishop could hardly do anything else,’ rejoined Mrs Robarts.

’I daresay not, my dear.  I suppose the bishop has somebody near him to tell him what he may do and what he may not do.  It would be terrible to think of, if it were not so.  But yet, when I hear that he has named such men as Mr Thumble and Mr Quiverful, I cannot but feel that the whole diocese is disgraced.’

‘Oh, Lady Lufton, that is such a strong word,’ said Mrs Robarts.

‘It may be strong, but it is not the less true,’ said Lady Lufton.

And from talking on the subject of the Crawleys, Lady Lufton soon advanced, first to a desire for some action, and than to acting.  ’I think, my dear, I will go over and see Mrs Crawley,’ said Lady Lufton, the elder to Lady Lufton the younger.  Lady Lufton the younger had nothing to urge against this; but she did not offer to accompany the elder Lady.  I attempted to explain in the earlier part of this story that there still existed a certain understanding between Mrs Crawley and Lord Lufton’s wife, and that kindnesses had occasionally passed from Framley Court to Hogglestock Parsonage; but on this occasion, Lady Lufton—­the Lucy Robarts that had once passed certain days of her life with the Crawleys at Hogglestock—­did not choose to accompany her mother-in-law; and therefore Mrs Robarts was invited to do so.  ’I think it may comfort her to know that she has our sympathy,’ the elder woman said to the younger as they made their journey together.

When the carriage stopped before the little wicker-gate, from whence a path led through a ragged garden from the road to Mr Crawley’s house, Lady Lufton hardly knew how to proceed.  The servant came to the door of the carriage, and asked for her orders.  ’H—­m—­m, ha, yes; I think I’ll send in my card;—­and say that I hope Mrs Crawley will be able to see me.  Won’t that be best; eh, Fanny?’ Fanny, otherwise Mrs Robarts, said that she thought that would be best; and the card and message were carried in.